Phosphate levels real high

Hi all. Been awhile, but I'm having some troubles in reef world!! Things are starting to look poor, so I ran all the test I could, and the only thing way out was Phosphates. Way off the scale high. I did a 20 gallon water change, and ran PhosBan in my Diatom filter!!! Worked good I think, the levels are lower, so I'm gonna run it some more.

My question is this: I feed a puffer chopped up shrimp. He loves it. I get it from Publix. Usually Keywest Pink Shrimp, or local Mayport shrimp here in Jacksonville. And some flake for a couple of damsels. But could the store-bought shrimp have some form of phospahtes in them? Phosphorus? I read most imported eating shrimp is cleaned of bacteria and parasites with cyanide!!

Any input about the shrimp, or other forms of phosphates would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks
Scoffer

Also Please see here about my puffer :

http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropical-fish/sick-puffer-37266.html#post341976

 

Seafood is typically sprayed with polyphosphates right on the deck of the ship. If it isn't sprayed there, it is sprayed once it's docked. It keeps the water in the tissues of the seafood (thereby making it more expensive on a $/pound basis) and it also protects the cells from freezer burn. While it has the polyphosphates, it was also once alive. Since everything that is, or was once alive, contains phosphate, you're getting those phosphates as well. Water is the Universal Solvent. If you were to soak the shrimp in RO/DI water (I.e. stripped water) at room temperature and then dump off the water, you will be amazed at how much P will be removed.

 

Thanks Curt. I thought maybe the shrimp had something to do with it.

How long do I need to soak the shrimp in RO/DI water to rinse out the PO4?
A minute or 2, or like a couple of hours? Im also gonna start buying some food from the LFS that states NO PHOSPHATES, for variety.

ALso, I'm gonna get some additive for trace elements. I dont add anything to the RO/DI water, some maybe my tank is starving for elements???

I've ran the Seachem PhosGuard for 2 days, and PO4 levels are much lower, but still present. But my tank has gone milky looking a bit. Hopefully this will subside?? (Using it in my diatom filter, but didnt rinse, duh)

Also can I reuse the Seachem PhosGuard? Something on the bottle made me think I can. Rinse of a reuse? Anyone know?

thanks a ton for any help all...

TIA

Scoffer

 

If frozen shrimp, until it's been fully thawed at room temperature for at least 20 minutes. (I'm not saying that's the correct amount of time, that is just the minimum that I do it). Food from the fish store that states NO PHOSPHATES simply means that no phosphates ARE ADDED. There are definately phosphates already included in the raw materials (algaes, seafood, etc.) For all frozen fish foods, you can do the same RO/DI soak. For flake food, you're kind of stuck as it doesn't soak well. However, it can be done then you pour the water and food through fishnet and then shake out the fishnet in the tank.

Save your money and just do periodic waterchanges.

Seachem makes a number of products that can be recharged. Unfortunately, this isn't one of them. Additionally, the Aluminum oxide generates a lot of heat when it first reacts with seawater. Plus the dust really irritates a lot of soft corals. It should be rinsed well with freshwater before introducing it to your tank.

 

Wow!! no kidding too...my temp went up about 5 degrees!!! yeah Ill rinse better next time too..... but the phosphates have come down. Ill start rinsing the food ALOT better than I have been...........and doing more water changes.

But with RO/DI water always would that still have (maybe dumb moment) the trace elements in it?? My worry is this: is it 99.99% pure water, or does the filter get 99.99 % of material out of the water, no inluding dissolved material. Thus the trace elements needed by the tank. My tank just has the appearance of no luster, no color, sad, hungry tank. Thought maybe some trace elents might spruce things up...

and not being a farm run-off (phosphate factory) tank probably will help too..!!

thanks

Scoffer

 

I have already posted about this product and I will swear by it. I am doing a 20 cube nano with 2 maxi-jet PH and a 9wt UV. No protein skimmer, denitrator, phosphate reactor or anything. I have done 1-3gl water change since start up well over 2 months ago. I roll up a 2"x15" cut piece of FosterSmith's Phospur pad and place it in my makeshift surface-skimmer. I add Kent Nano reef supplements and feed my fish daily and have yet to get any diatom or undesirable algae of any kind. I use RO/DI for top-off and when I did the water change I used Reef Crystals.
Ammonia=0, nitrate=0, PH=8.2 (I do use Seachem Reef buffer in the top-off water) and phosphates O. Alk maintains at 10meq.
This is the FIRST tank that has gone so smoothly and clean. Try it, I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

To help diagnose the issue regarding lackluster color, we need the intricate details of your tank. For instance, if you are keeping SPS, excess phosphates will cause most of them to turn beige to brown. Zooxanthellae are brown (note: oversimplified description) and excess nitrates and/or phosphates causes them to grow out of control.

Which corals are lackluster, what is your SG, what is your nitrate level, what is yada, yada, yada.

 

Apollo,

I've never used that product so I cannot comment on it. However, I wanted to comment on your nice tank. :thumbs_up :thumbs_up (Two thumbs up)